In Reply to: Leeway posted by GaryD on Monday, 20. July 2009 at 10:44 Bali Time:
A couple of years back I weighed my bags with the hotel 'fish scales', as did a friend who was traveling home the same night. I was flying Garuda economy and she was flying Garuda business class. Mine weighed 25kg and hers 35kg.
When we checked in (counters were next to each other), hers came in at 35kg and mine was 30kg. Considering we both weighed our bags with the same scales, I doubt there was that much inaccuracy in them that hers would be the same and mine 5kg heavier.
I was sent to the excess counter where I cried poor. While I have no issue paying for being over allowance, I do object to being conned to pay more than my share. I was sent to another counter to 'negotiate'. They agreed to a 50% discount and I paid for the 5kg which I was legitimately over.
Would have saved a whole heap of hassle and running around if the check-in guy had left his foot off the scales and just charged for the actual 5kg that I was over!
The previous year, my luggage weighed 27kg and I was charged nothing.
It really just depends who checks you in.